Gerald N. Gustafson, 95, formerly of 344 Looker Mountain Trail, Bradford, passed away, Thursday, September 30, 2021, at Lakeview Senior Care & Living Center, in Smethport.
Born in Kushequa, on November 13, 1925, he was a son of the late Gustaf and Mary (Transue) Gustafson.
He was a 1943 graduate of Hamlin Township High School. On January 19, 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He was honorably discharged on June 3, 1946.
On August 6, 1949, in the First Baptist Church he married Lois (Barber) Gustafson who preceded him in death on September 5, 2018.
Gerald was employed for more than 40 years at Kendall Refining Company, and he retired from Witco Corporation in 1987. He was also co-owner of Grove & Gustafson Janitorial Services.
He was a lifetime member of Sawyer Evangelical Church and was a member of the Quarter Century Club at Kendall. For many years he was active in the McKean County Republican Party, and poll sitter in Foster Township.
He was an outdoors man enjoying hunting (bow and rifle), outdoor photography, and motorcycling. He also competed for many years in various bowling leagues. He enjoyed researching his Swedish genealogy and traveling to meet his distant relatives.
After his retirement he spent many summers working at the Messiah College Girls Basketball Individual and Team Camps. He absolutely loved his time there and was loved in return by the campers, staff, and coaches. He was affectionately called “Pops”.
Surviving are four daughters, Marcia Gustafson, of Bradford, Betsy (Jim) Livingston, of Bradford, Gretchen (Benjamin) Banks, of Camp Hill, and Norma (Mike) Miller, of Mechanicsburg. He was adored by his 10 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews and all he met through them.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Lois of 69 years, one grandson, Jim Livingston Jr., one brother Harold, and three sisters, Dorothy Moore, Evelyn Chatley and Isabelle Gustafson.
Friends will be received on Tuesday October 12, 2021, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am in the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc., 372 East Main Street. immediately followed by funeral services. Burial will be in McKean Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions if desired may be made to Sawyer Evangelical Church, or a charity of the donor's choice.
For those not able to attend in person this service will be live streamed at 11:00 am via this link: https://bit.ly/3kqKDRX
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com